One of the things I have enjoyed about preaching this book thus far is that it's much more like storytelling than just straight preaching. Almost as if I get to leave you on a cliffhanger each week so you’ll come back for more. And today will be no exception.
At this point in the story we have met the King, Mordecai, Esther, and now Haman.
Esther’s ascension to the throne. Mordecai discovers a plot to take out the king, and Haman gets the promotion that Mordecai should have gotten. There is long-standing beef between their lineages, and Haman sets up a plot to kill Mordecai and all his people.
But plot twist. Esther, the new queen, is also a Jew. What will the King do? Let’s dive into Esther 4, and then we will begin breaking it down…
At first, Mordecai’s reaction might feel like a weird reaction to us, but this was a way for them to show the deepest grief possible. The sackcloth was made of goat hair, and it did look like a big sack, with a hole for the head and two slits for the arms. It was a symbol of sorrow, humility, and humiliation. It was also a way to identify with the dead. It is easy to see how torn clothing and dust on the head would be symbolic representations of death and decay.
That feels weird until we realize that so much of our society mourns today by going on social media and posting about why the world isn’t fair…
It’s easy to think that Mordecai brought this upon himself. If he had only humbled himself, bowed to Haman, and not revealed his nationality, all of this would have been averted. Mordecai stood up for what he believed in, and there are always consequences when we do that in this world. Remember, no weapon formed against you shall prosper… But those weapons can still be formed!
Mordecai went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. The king was protected, of course, from anything negative, and someone in mourning would not be allowed to destroy the peace and serenity of the King’s palace.
Today this is someone putting up a passive-aggressive social media post or sending a “Reply All” Email, hoping that the person they want to see the message gets it. Remember that a common theme in this book is the apparent absence of God. A significant idea we can take from Esther is that even when we can’t feel God, He is working.
We can be delighted that our King of Kings loves to hear our sorrows. Hebrews 4:12 tells us to come boldly before his throne to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need. But Mordecai here went as far as he could.
In every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, fasting, weeping, and wailing; many lay in sackcloth and ashes. So we see that Mordecai is not the only one mourning. There were Jews in every province who were weeping, wailing, and fasting. So many lay in sackcloth and ashes, just like Mordecai.
Esther hears about Mordecai's distress and tries to comfort him, but he will not accept the help. Esther sends Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, to Mordecai to learn what and why this was. She had not heard about the plan Haman because bad news could not be mentioned to the Royal Family.
So Hathach went to Mordecai in the city square before the king’s gate. And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews.
As proof of the validity of his story, Mordecai gives Hathach a copy of the edict to show to Esther. This is important. When making an accusation of this sort, it is always wise to provide proof of your charge. Otherwise, you are just gossiping and spreading rumors.
And look at the last two words of verse 8. Mordecai tells Hathach to tell Esther to go to the king and plead for her people. The secret was out, at least to Hathach. Up until now, no one knew that Esther was a Jewess. Now, at least one man knows, and without some reprieve from the King, Esther and Mordecai and all their people would die.
Persian monarchs were protected against unwanted visitors and interruptions. Now there were channels through which Esther could have requested an audience, but we can be confident that she would have had to make arrangements through Haman and would have never received an audience.
Since Esther had not been summoned for thirty days, she did not know whether the King's attitude toward her would be favorable. So, not knowing where she stands with the king, she is scared for her life.
But Mordecai’s response is blunt and to the point. Don’t think you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For maybe you were placed there for just such a time as this.
This is the key verse in the Book of Esther. Mordecai’s response is a confession of faith in God. Even though God’s name is absent from the statement, he is speaking with the faith that God always finds another way to save His people.
Now Esther has to decide who she is. Is she the pagan queen living a life of luxury and ease? Or is she a young Jewish girl with her life threatened? Will she continue to hide her identity, or will she take responsibility for the life God has given her by identifying herself with the people of God?
What Would You Do?
I think this is such a key verse because this is a place where we can actually put ourselves into scripture.
So often, we like reading ourselves into the good men and women of the bible, and evil individuals are coming up against us. But one of the beautiful things about Esther is we only have this isolated life story. All of us have likely had a moment, or will have a moment where we are placed into a position that we weren’t expecting or ready for.
Ultimately here is the question proposed. When in a difficult situation, will you serve God, man, or your desires? If you were Esther, what would you do? Which would you pick? Who knows? You might be in the exact position at home, at the office, or at church because God wants you to decide whom you will serve: God or yourself.
Esther’s Decision
What does Esther decide? Esther is a well-trained Jewish girl, not only does she obey Mordecai and agree to go before the king, but she also calls for fasting and prayer.
Again, prayer is implied here. Fasting by itself is just an extreme diet that wouldn’t accomplish anything. Fasting in the Old Testament religious sense is often in connection with making a request to God.
The principle is that the importance of the request causes an individual to be so concerned about their spiritual condition that physical necessities fade into the background.
And let me just say also that this was the strictest type of fast. First, a typical day of fasting for the Jew was 12 hours, from sunrise to sundown. Then, after sundown, they could eat. But here, Esther asks for three full days and nights. But even more than this, if we looked back at chapter 3 and saw when the edict went out, we would see it went out on the eve of Passover.
The Passover was the most important festival for the Jewish family. It was a bit like our Thanksgiving Day. Can you imagine if someone told you on the day before Thanksgiving to fast for three days and three nights, not to eat anything on Thanksgiving, or for two days afterward? That is what Esther was asking, but this was also a very important fast.
Mordecai also went and fasted and prayed and made sure that everyone he knew was also fasting and praying. When all seemed against the Jews, they didn’t run. They didn’t fortify. They didn’t hide. They didn’t complain. They didn’t badmouth Mordecai or Esther. They didn’t blame Mordecai.
They prayed.
Prayer is the first step toward victory. It is the step Esther and Mordecai took. It is the step many men and women had taken throughout the pages of Scripture when everyone and everything seemed against them. And it is the step I want you to take as well. Pray, and believe that God has greater things in store than you can imagine.
Instead of asking God to let you out of a situation, pray that he might have put you here for such a time as this and that He will use you in the situation. If you are in a place where you can stand up for what is right, and you do not, if you remain silent and do not speak up, the truth will arise from another place. God will make sure of it.
Will you be persecuted? Yes, maybe, but have the same attitude as Esther: “If I perish, I perish.” At least you will know that you died or were ruined, standing up for what is right. What will you choose? Will you die to self and serve God? Or will you take the path of least resistance?
I would challenge you today to serve God fully. Give up the rights to your life. For who knows? Maybe God has placed you just where you are for such a time as this.
Esther And Haman Both Put Their Plans Into Action
Two primary things happen in chapter 5, so I will not take the time to read the passage, but I encourage you to do so if you haven’t already.
First, Esther puts a plan into action that doesn’t seem to make sense at first thought, but the more you think of it makes all of the sense in the world.
She will go before the King without being called for, so she has one shot. If she is not looked upon favorably, this might mean her death. But she has learned something about this King.
He likes to Party! So often, we might want to react quickly when we are emotional, but Esther doesn’t do that. Instead, she throws a party for the King and Haman. The King is well pleased and says whatever your request, I will grant it.
Esther is still playing a long game that we will see play out next week. But she says my request is to throw you and Haman another party.
The King is pleased about this, and this guy throws a six-month party at the beginning of the book.
Esther is using wisdom, playing the long game, and will let God be her defender.
Verse 9 tells us that Haman went out from this mean Joyful and glad of heart. He sees Mordecai, and Mordecai would not rise or tremble in his presence. He’s upset but goes home and tells his wife and friends about his day.
The queen invited the King and himself to this meal, and he gets to go again tomorrow. But he just can’t enjoy it because of Mordecai. So they encourage him to build a 50-cubit (or 75-foot) tall gallows overnight and hang Mordecai on it in the morning.
Haman is acting on impulses, Mordecai is mourning and not in control, Esther is playing out a long game that her people have been fasting and praying over, and the King is about to get a bad night's sleep.
Want to study this message more in-depth? Then watch the full sermon here on YouTube!